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Colorado in July

Okay, fishing the No. Platte in WYO, mid July. Planning on dumping the clients off at the airport, then looking for some backcountry fly fishing and hiking suggestions. I've never hikied CO, I'm not looking for any peak bagging, or extremely strenuous trails. I would like to incorporate some hanging, a little fishing and some backpacking, 4 days or so.

I know, BIG state, BIG mountains. Just looking for some local advice to steer clear of the crowds if possible.

Okay, I will be leaving WYO on July 21 for Denver. I am dropping off three clients at the airport and picking up a buddy. We plan on 3-4 nights, backcountry hiking, camping and fishing. Doesn't need to be big water, just good scenery and low crowds. Your help is greatly appreciated...as far as fishing holes, you can PM just to keep them secret. I doubt I will fish them more than every two years!

Okay, I will be leaving WYO on July 21 for Denver. I am dropping off three clients at the airport and picking up a buddy. We plan on 3-4 nights, backcountry hiking, camping and fishing. Doesn't need to be big water, just good scenery and low crowds. Your help is greatly appreciated...as far as fishing holes, you can PM just to keep them secret. I doubt I will fish them more than every two years!

swank

Hi Swank,
I would not leave Wyoming to go fishing in Colorado.
Most of the streams here are stocked do to over fishing.
For years I never bought a Co licence but bought an annual Wyoming.
Miracle Mile, Pathfinder, Wheatland 3 in Wyoming would be my choices.

Now if fishing is your 3rd priority with hiking and hanging your first then
Colorado is the place to be. I would look into Nederland, CO.

End of July is peak tourist season so most campgrounds will be full but there is
millions of acres of National Forest to hike and hang in.

I am taking some clients fishing in WYO and then dropping them off at the airport. In CO the fishing is second priority, backpacking is first. My concerns are peak tourist season, so some direction for the NF is very helpful.

I haven't actually fished it, but there are a series of alpine lakes (ponds) called Willow Lakes up above Dillon, CO. It is a beautiful, stunning in fact, hike up to the chain of ponds. They are right in the transition area between treeline and tundra. I usually camp at Salmon Lake which is the first one you encounter on the trail leading to the chain. There are some good trees near the lake.

I've heard fishermen talking about Willow Lakes, so there must be some decent fishing. All the ponds are connected on and off by a small feeder stream, so the fish move around a bit I'm guessing. But mostly, the view kicks butt! It is about an 8ish mile hike in, so it doesn't get crazy packed even in the prime months. It is my little getaway spot and I've always been too relaxed to bother with fishing when I'm there.

I haven't actually fished it, but there are a series of alpine lakes (ponds) called Willow Lakes up above Dillon, CO. It is a beautiful, stunning in fact, hike up to the chain of ponds. They are right in the transition area between treeline and tundra. I usually camp at Salmon Lake which is the first one you encounter on the trail leading to the chain. There are some good trees near the lake.

I've heard fishermen talking about Willow Lakes, so there must be some decent fishing. All the ponds are connected on and off by a small feeder stream, so the fish move around a bit I'm guessing. But mostly, the view kicks butt! It is about an 8ish mile hike in, so it doesn't get crazy packed even in the prime months. It is my little getaway spot and I've always been too relaxed to bother with fishing when I'm there.

An 8 mile hike up hill would keep most of the tourist away.
This place sounds pretty nice with lakes and small streams to fish.
Cannibal are there designated CG's or can one hang anywhere,
with the usual NF rules on camping near trails and water?

An 8 mile hike up hill would keep most of the tourist away.
This place sounds pretty nice with lakes and small streams to fish.
Cannibal are there designated CG's or can one hang anywhere,
with the usual NF rules on camping near trails and water?

There are a handful of fairly established sites here and there, but nothing formal.

Honestly, I've never much worried about any rules because I have yet to see anybody of authority up there. As you said, the distance and climb keep most of the riff-raff out of the area anyway. The folks that do tread up there, are for the most part, good stewards.